Cité de l’énergie* and Shawinigan-2 Generating Station ($)
IMPORTANT – Guided tours are suspended until further notice.
Tour a unique century-old facility. Not all its generators use the same technology: some have a horizontal axis and others a vertical axis. It’s part of Québec’s hydropower heritage—a real gem!
* Cité de l’énergie is a Hydro-Québec partner- Discover Cité de l’énergie and Shawinigan-2 Generating Station
- Tour Rallies app
- School tours
- Visitors’ comments
- Schedule and practical information
- How to get there
- Other sights in the area
Download the Tour Rallies app
Get the new Tour Rallies app to plan your visit. Discover the permanent exhibition on the Northern Aluminium Company and the Cité de l’énergie historic sector with your friends and family.
An enchanting trip back in time
Relive the adventure of the last 100 years of industrial development in the Mauricie region through the history of the hydropower and aluminum.
Be sure to climb to the top of the lookout tower, as tall as a 38-storey building. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of spectacular scenery.
You’ll also want to visit Shawinigan-2 generating station, one of Hydro-Québec’s oldest power plants still operating.
Visit Cité de l’énergie’s Web siteThis site is managed by Cité de l’Énergie de Shawinigan, and Hydro-Québec is its partner.
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Did you know?
Shining example of Canadian engineering
Shawinigan-2 generating station is one of Canada’s top 25 engineering achievements of the 20th century.
Horizontal or vertical?
Shawinigan-2’s eight generating units aren’t all the same: five have a horizontal axis and three a vertical axis.
Oldest plant
Shawinigan-2 is the oldest hydropower generating station in Québec still in operation.
History of the generating station
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Question from: Pierre, Montréal
Answer from: Martine, tour guide at Shawinigan-2 generating station
How is Shawinigan-2 generating station different from the others?
Shawinigan-2 was built in phases, and the technology changed in between. That’s why some of the generating units are horizontal and the others are vertical. Which means that the employees have to be versatile, with a range of knowledge and skills.
Question from: Julianne, Trois-Rivières
Answer from: Marie-Catherine, tour guide at Shawinigan-2 generating station
Why should the horizontal generating units be kept running all winter?
The penstocks that channel the water from the Rivière Saint-Maurice to the horizontal generating units are above ground, making them more susceptible to the cold. To prevent the formation of frazil or ice, the generating units have to be kept running throughout the winter.
Question from: Simon, Shawinigan
Answer from: Martine, tour guide at Shawinigan-2 generating station
How many people work at Shawinigan-2 generating station?
Shawinigan-2 and Shawinigan-3 are on the same site. A technical and administrative staff of nearly 40 employees keep them both running.
Follow the guides!
Our guides know what they’re talking about. They’ve been specially trained to make sure you have a rewarding experience that meets your expectations. They’ll be delighted to tailor your tour to match the goal you have in mind and the profile of your group.
Our interactive educational tours are full of facts and most of them are fun for the entire family. Don’t be shy about asking questions: our guides are very knowledgeable. Your curiosity will be satisfied!
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School tours
School tours
Cité de l’énergie welcomes groups for an energetic outing.
Visit the Cité de l’énergie Web site for information about group packages.
Pre-visit preparation
Hydro-Québec offers quality teaching resources to help you explain various concepts related to electricity, such as sustainability, energy efficiency, the environment and safety.
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Very interesting and friendly guides. Thank you!
Visit of the generating station = fascinating.
It was pretty cool to see the facilities.
Really well organized. Interesting experiences for everyone: children + adults alike.
A must-see to understand Québec and its regions, their place in history and development and the province’s ability to create.
It’s the only place where we can see generating units with a horizontal axis.
Schedule and practical information
Schedule and practical information
Admission
There is an admission charge for the Cité de l’énergie, a Hydro-Québec partner.
There is no extra charge to tour Shawinigan-2 generating station.
Schedule
From June 12 to September 26, 2021
Daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reservations required
Special instructions apply due the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Length of tour (Shawinigan-2 generating station)
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Group schedule
Cité de l’énergie offers group visits year-round. Reservations required.
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What you should know
The tour of Shawinigan-2 generating station is part of an exploration of the historic Cité de l’énergie area.
ID card
Visitors aged 18 years and over must present official photo ID (medicare card, driver’s licence or passport) to tour a facility.
Time of arrival
Tours start at regular intervals.
Age
The tour is recommended for school-aged children but not for children under the age of two, for safety reasons.
Clothing
Flat, closed shoes are recommended.
Accessibility
Tours are on foot and include some stairs.
Notice to pacemaker users
The electromagnetic fields in power plants may disrupt pacemaker operation. As a precaution, pacemaker users will not be allowed during the part of the guided tour that takes place in the generating station.
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Services
- Picnic area
- Free parking
- Gift shop
- Partially accessible to persons with a physical impairment
- Restrooms
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How to get there
Cité de l’Énergie and Shawinigan-2 generating station
1000, avenue Melville
Shawinigan (Québec)
G9N 6T9
Other sights in the area
To find out about other activities or plan your trip to the area, go to QuébecOriginal.com.
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Commentaires de visiteurs
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